Pilot accused of flying 74 pounds of pot from California to Massachusetts

Associated PressA marijuana plant is grown under lights at the Boulder County Caregivers in Boulder, Colo. on Friday, July 24, 2009.

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — A man authorities say piloted a plane carrying 74 pounds of marijuana from California to Massachusetts has pleaded not guilty to a drug trafficking charge.

Hoang Nguyen (hwang noo-WIN') was allowed to remain free on the $5,000 bail previously posted during his arraignment Tuesday in Worcester Superior Court.

The 31-year-old Nguyen was arrested Sept. 27 by state troopers and federal agents after the plane landed at Fitchburg's airport. A state police dog alerted authorities to the presence of drugs and after obtaining a search warrant investigators said they found three duffel bags filled with marijuana, along with $77,000 in cash.